Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish all my fellow Canadians a very happy and relaxing Thanksiving! No new posts today as I'm too busy feasting! Haha!

Product Review: Cargo PlantLove 100% Natural Origin Lipgloss

Reviewer: Cinnamon Kitten

Brand: Cargo
Name: PlantLove 100% Natural Origin Lipgloss
Size: 9 ml / 0.03 fl oz
Price: approximately $20 CAD / $20 USD

Shade Tried: Magnolia

How can you not love this Cargo lipstick? Available in earth-friendly packaging and part of Cargo's amazingly environmentally-friendly PlantLove collection, I was excited to try another Cargo product since I've had nothing but nice things to say about other Cargo products.

"Formulated with natural and organic ingredients that offer a high-shine, non-sticky finish. This gloss cares for your lips with a silky, luscious consistency that smoothes and hydrates. This environmentally friendly product is free of parabens, phalates, petro-chemicals, synthetic dyes, and fragrances, and comes in pretty, floral-inspired shades. The outer carton paper is made of 100% post consumer waste." (from the Sephora web site)

To Purr About:
- lovely, shiny pink shade
- great packaging that's papery, but very sturdy
- slanted sponge tip applicator is easy to use
- not sticky

Claws Out:
- a little more expensive that I would generally pay for a lip gloss
- the shade I tried is very light, but looks darker in the packaging
- has a slightly rubbery, funky smell
- doesn't have a very good staying power

Final Comments:
Although not my favourite lipgloss, this does come in pretty shades and the environmentally-friendly aspect will appeal to many people. The shade I tried was slightly lighter than I prefer, but was very shiny. Although the formula is light and non-sticky, I find that it disappears off my lips quite quickly.

Rating (out of 5):




If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: sephora.com

Clinique Bonus Time at Holt Renfrew

Canadians - It's Clinique Bonus Time (wow, the bonus times are popping up all over the place!

Retailer: Holt Renfrew
Minimum amount you need to spend: $35 CAD (before taxes) of Clinique products
Duration: Oct. 8 - 26, 2008


What you get:
- Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser, 50 ml
- Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, 30 ml
- Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream, 5 ml
- Zero Gravity Repairwear Lift Firming Cream, 15 ml
- Long Last Lipstick, 4 g
- High Definition Lashes, 4 g
- Fresh Bloom Allover Colour with Brush, 1.8 g
- mini bag
- deluxe cosmetics bag

image: Holt Renfrew e-flyer

Lancome Bonus Time at The Bay

Canadians - It's Lancome Bonus Time!

Retailer: The Bay
Minimum amount you need to spend: $33 CAD (before taxes) of Lancome products
Duration: Oct. 9 - Nov. 2, 2008


What you get:
- Your choice of either: (For mature skin) Renergie Microlift R.A.R.E. Superior Lifting Cream with SPF 15 and Renergie Microlife Eye R.A.R.E. Superior Lifting Eye Cream OR (To counter first wrinkles) Primordiale Skin Recharge Visibly Smoothing and Renewing Moisturizer with SPF 15 and Primordiale Eye Skin Recharge Visibly Smoothing and Renewing Eye Cream
- Colour Design Sensational Effects Lip Colour
- Colour Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Quad
- Definicils High Definition Mascara in Black
- 2 double-ended makeup brushes
- Lancome signature cosmetic case

You will also get a bonus Tote Bag if you purchase 2 Lancome products and meet the minimum amount required.

image: lancome e-flyer

NEW Product Line: MAC Cremesheen

"Watch out...This new lip colour speaks softly but says something shocking! Discover the finish that makes Cremesheen such hot gossip. With its smooth, creamy texture and 14 eloquent colours to choose from, the difference will speak for itself." (description from MAC site)

This fall is going to be so great (but bad for my pocket book). I love smoky purply/blue eyes and light, pinky lips, and that's what colours are all about this autumn! Yay!


Lipstick, 3 g / 0.1 us oz, $16.50 CAD
Colour plus texture for the lips.
- Creme d'Nude (Cremesheen): pale muted peach beige
- Dare You (Cremesheen): deep brown red
- Brave Red (Cremesheen): bright yellow red
- Hang-Up (Cremesheen): deep berry
- Crosswires (Cremesheen): clean pinky orange
- Fanfare (Cremesheen): mid-tone yellow pink
- Speed Dial (Cremesheen): light blue pink
- Modesty (Cremesheen): muted neutral pink
- On Hold (Cremesheen): mid-tone raspberry
- Party Line (Cremesheen): red-toned plum
- Hot Gossip (Cremesheen): mid-tone pinky plum
- Ravishing (Cremesheen): clean light peachy coral
- Speak Louder (Cremesheen): clean poppy blue pink
- Stay in Touch (Cremesheen): light yellow brown

Nail Lacquer, 10 ml / 0.34 us oz, $13 CAd
Revolutionary new high gloss formula. Provides no-streak/no-chip finish. Contains conditioners and UV protection.
- Seasonal Peach: creamy pale peachy pink

images: maccosmetics.com

Glow's Best in Beauty Awards 2008

One of the most popular places to purchase "drugstore" cosmetics in Canada is Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM). SDM puts out a monthlyy beauty magazine called Glow and recently Glow held its Annual Readers' Choice Beauty Survey to see what the most popular products were.

Along with the readers' favourites are the Editors' Picks.

The best thing about this list is that most of these products are drugstore brands, which means the prices are much more affordable than other "Best of..." lists. Time to go shopping, ladies!

I must admit though that not many of my own personal favourites made the list - how about yours?

Please note: All prices are in CAD $

EYES

Brow Enhancer: Revlon Brow Fantasy, $13
Eyeliner: L'Oreal Paris Lineur Intense, $14
Eyeshadow: Cover Girl Eye Enhancers Eye Shadows, $6 to $9
Mascara: L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Naturale Mascara, $10
Editors' Pick: Gosh Extreme Art Eye Liner Extremely Waterproof, $15

LIPS

Lip Balm: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, $6
Lipstick: Cover Girl Continuous Color Lipstick, $9
Lipgloss: Lancome Juicy Tubes, $21
Editors' Pick: Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15, $18

FRAGRANCE

9-to-5 Favourite: Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker, $66
Date-Night Favourite: Chanel No. 5, $96
Weekend Favourite: Glow by J. Lo, $63
Editors' Pick: Lancome Magnifique, $95

HAIR

Shampoo - Curly Hair: Pantene Pro-V Hydrating Curls Shampoo, $7
Shampoo - Oily Hair: Herbal Essences Drama Clean Shampoo, $5
Shampoo - Colour-Treated Hair: L'Oreal Paris Vive Pro Shampoo for Colour-Treated Hair, $8
Shampoo - Fine Hair: Pantene Pro-V Sheer Volume Shampoo, $7
Deep Conditioner: Dove Intense Damage Therapy Conditioner, $7
Hairspray: Tresemme Tres Two Extra Hold Hair Spray, $8
Texture Enhancer: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon, $11
Editors' Pick: Live Clean Colour Protect Shampoo and Conditioner, $8

FACE

Foundation: L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup, $16
Concealer: Cover Girl Invisible Concealer, $8
Blush: Cover Girl Cheekers Blush, $7
Face Powder: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder, $16
Editors' Pick: Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder & Brush Set, $72

SKINCARE

Facial Cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $20
Daily Moisturizer with SPF: Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging UV Moisturizer Plus SPF 15, $30
Night Cream: Lancome Renergie Nuit Recharging Night Treatment, $89
Anti-Aging Product: Vichy Myokine Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Dermo-Decontracting Care, $42
Editors' Pick: Clarins Paris UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40, $34

BODY

Body Lotion: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, $14
Hand Cream: Glysomed Hand Cream, $5
Body Wash: Dove Deep Moisture Beauty Body Wash, $8
Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails, $3.50
Editors' Pick: Dior Capture Totale Haute Nutrition Body Creme, $135

Product Review: ecotools Bamboo Blush Brush

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: ecotools
Name: Bamboo Blush Brush
Size: n/a
Price: n/a

Nowadays everything seems to be going "green", so why not our makeup brushes?

Ecotools has come out with a whole line of "green" makeup tools. Every little bit helps, right? So I was definitely interested in trying out their brushes.

Ecotools boasts that their bamboo blush brush:
- evenly applies color to brighten up the face
- is made of cruelty free bristles
- and is made of natural & recycled materials

To Purr About:
- comes in a cute re-usable pouch that is greath for travelling
- tacklon bristles are soft and gentle on my skin
- has not lost any bristles that I’m aware of

Claws Out:
- isn’t very compact, and is therefore not optimal for travelling

Final Comments:
I threw out my Annabelle brush and replaced it with this one. Probably not the most eco-friendly thing to do, but what the hey. There was a definite difference between that brush and this one. My ecotools brush is 10 times softer and I guess I never realized how harsh my old 1 way until now. I can’t remember if it was always that harsh, or just got that way from years of use. I guess the bristles could always be softer, but they`re still pretty darn soft.

Overall, I was impressed with my new blush brush. Not only do they look great and feel great, but they come with a handy reusable pouch which I’ve actually been reusing a lot. It’s great for storing 1 or more of my brushes while I travel and even when I’m at home to keep the dust off.

I only hope that the bristles are still as soft after continual use.

Rating (out of 5):




If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: parispresents.com

NEW Product Line: Lise Watier Les Cachemires

"Inspired by the tranquil beauty of the first days of the autumn season, Lise Watier has created a soft, candid collection. Les Cachemires presents a harmony of comforting shades and appealing textures." (description from Lise Water press kit)

I became a fan of Lise Watier when I tried their last collection. The lipsticks were so glossy and smooth. So I'm excited to try this new collection. Watch for product reviews soon!


Eye Shadow Quartets, $35 CAD
Colour quartets in soft, soothing shade. Nestled in a pretty knitted pouch. Limited edition.
- Cachemires Bleu: a grey-taupe, a sky blue, an anthracite blue and a luminous pale pink
- Cachemires Prune: a deep plum, a delicate lilac, a pink-tinged beige and a metallic gold

Metal Liners, $18 CAD
An ultra-precise blush applicator makes it easy to apply. The ultimate liquid eyeliners for the season's top beauty looks. Limited Edition.
- Lilas: a soft, metallic lilac
- Marine: a delicately sparkled navy blue

Eyeshine Marine, $16 CAD
The latest edition to the Eyeshine family. Adored for its velvety texture and waterproof wear.
- Navy Blue

Wow Deep Blue, $20 CAD
The same innovative brush and the same acclaimed formula as the original Wow - now available in a very special shade. Not too dark, not too muted, Wow Deep Blue mascara brings a hint of blue to your lashes.

Blush On Powder, $24 CAD
- Rose Cachemire: a soft, matte finish
- Natural Glow: a peach powder with a shimmer of gold, a natural-looking blush that brightens skin tone

Lipsticks, $18 CAD
- Cosmo Pink (part of the Rouge Sublime line): the perfect pink with a creamy finish
- Golden Apricot (part of the Rouge Sheer & Shine line): sheer and ultra-luminous, a fruity orange colour with a pearl of gold
- Pecan Pie (part of the Rouge Gourmand ): a frosted brown shade with pink highlights

Plumpissimo Le Gloss, $20 CAD
An innovative formula of Instaplump and vitamins protects and nourishes lips while making them look extra lush.
- Peche: a shiny, pearly gloss
- Naturel: a creamy neutral pink with a lacquered finish

Solos Eyeshadows, $17 CAD
- Rose Corail
- Rose Lilas
- Lavender Blue
- Charbon

image: Lise Water press kit

Lancome Bonus Online

Canadians - It's Lancome Bonus Time Online!

Retailer: lancome.ca
Minimum amount you need to spend: $50 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: while supplies last


What you get:
- Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Moisturizer tube, 15 ml
- Colour Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow
- Definicils High Definition Mascara in Black
- Le Rouge Absolu Lipstick SPF 15 in Champagne
- Lancome signature cosmetics case with matching cosmetics pouch

image: lancome.ca

Product Review: NARS Lipstick

Reviewer: Cinnamon Kitten

Brand: NARS
Name: Lipstick
Size: 0.12 oz / 3.4 g
Price: approximately $24 USD

Shade Tried: Honolulu Honey (satin)

This is my first NARS product review and I'm really excited to be able to try this popular brand.

Their lipsticks come in 3 different formulas:

- Satin: moist, longwearing lipstick containing micro-bubble spheres to continually release lip conditioners which yield creamy, silky color that wears for hours.
- Semi-Matte: a highly pigmented matte, non-drying formula that provides a long-wearing, full-bodied, velvety finish.
- Sheer: long-lasting colour pigments have been suspended in this translucent formula to provide a sheer, natural tint to the lips.

Nourishing and Non-drying, with Vitamin E.

I had a lot of trouble picking out a shade to try because there were so many great colours. I finally chose Honolulu Honey because I'm still searching for that perfect nude lipstick.

To Purr About:
- stunning natural nude shade
- long-lasting shade but isn't drying
- doesn't dry out my lips
- full, rich colour
- the lipstick tube has a slightly rubbery feeling, which is kind of nice and different

Claws Out:
- although it's a "satin" finish, I find it slightly matte

Final Comments:
I have found my perfect nude lipstick. The moment I put this on my lips I was in love. The shade is beige, but not dull or flat and goes well with my tanned Asian skin. The lipstick is pretty moisturizing and goes on easily, but has a slightly matte finish, which I love.

I have fallen in love with this lipstick and can't wait to try out other NARS products!

Rating (out of 5):




Check out all of NARS' products on their website, www.narscosmetics.com.

If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: narscometics.com